Swimming pool construction

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool constructed of wall modules disposed end-to-end to form the wall bounding the perimeter of the pool. The wall modules have interfitting stiffener structure functioning to make rigid the completed pool wall. Where the modules meet at a joint, bracing structure may be provided which braces against inward as well as outward deflection of the wall modules.

7 United States Patent [151 3,675,253

Danzker 1 July 11, 1972 [s41 SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION 3,317,926 5/1967 Hall ..4/|72.|9 72 Inventor: zmu I. Danzlter, 1930 s.w. Orchid 2:32: 2 2 9 3,". "g "2 Place Portland 01 .97219 l 8 3,555,575 l/1971 Schwarz etal A ..4/172.19 [22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1971 3,339,327 9/1967 Kempf ..52/589 X [2]] AWL No; 103,535 3,466,821 9/1969 O'Shaughnessy et al. ..52/593 X Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [52] U.S. Cl. ..4/l72.l9, 61/39, 61/49 Anomey-Kolisch & Hartwell [51] Int. Cl. i ..E04h3/l6,E04h 3/18 [58] HeldolSeamh ..4/172,172.19,172.11;52/169, [57] ABSTRACT 52/593, 483, 615, $89, 621, 281, 619, 2396;214:199, A s 8 P00! constructed of wall modules dis lend to-end to form the wall bounding the perimeter of the poolv The wall modules have interfitting stiffener structure functionl 56] Ram CM ing to make rigid the completed pool wall. Where the modules UNITED STATES PATENTS meet at a joint, bracing structure may be provided which braces against inward as well as outward deflection of the wall 3,276,043 10/1966 Delia ..4/172.19 moduka 3,317,927 S/l967 Shields ..4/l72.l9 3,381,483 5/1968 Huthsing, .lr ..6l/49 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Flguru SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION This invention relates generally to a modular construction for a wall, such as the upstanding wall which bounds the perimeter of a swimming pool. Included within the invention are a novel form of building module which may be incorporated with other modules in the preparation of such a wall, and a novel form of wall construction preparable from the modules, the latter further including a unique bracing for the wall whereby the same is maintained upright.

As contemplated herein, wall modules are provided which are set end-to-end in constructing the pool wall. Because of the modular construction, pools of varying sizes are readily built, by changing the number of modules incorporated into the completed wall. The modules interfit at adjacent ends in a joint which makes for rigidity in the overall construction.

The wall modules are constructed in such a manner as to enable them to be made of wood. Thus, each may comprise a rectangular plywood or other wooden panel which forms the front face of the module, i.e., that face which faces the interior of the pool. Along the backside of such a panel is stiffening structure, including horizontal beams extending adjacent top and bottom margins of the panel, and vertical stiffeners extending between these horizontal beams. Such stiffeners include what are referred to herein as external stiffeners, utilized in producing the interfitting joint, as will become more fully described hereinbelow. In the completed pool, the pool may be made watertight by providing a vinyl or other plastic liner over the interior of the pool. The floor of the pool may comprise sand suitable contoured to provide the drainage desired, and covered by such vinyl liner.

A further feature and object of the invention is the provision in a pool construction of novel bracing structure for bracing the wall modules at a joint. Such bracing structure includes what are referred to herein as foot extensions cooperating with diagonals effective rigidly to hold the panel modules firmly braced in a truly vertical position. Because of this bracing structure, the pool wall is well enabled to withstand both full pool and pool empty conditions. It is also possible to place the pool in a variety of above and below grade installations.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a view in plan showing a typical pool installation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on a somewhat larger scale, illustrating portions of a wall in the pool such as might be provided to bound its perimeter;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view, showing how the pool wall is assembled; and

FIG. 4 is another perspective view, showing the joint formed between two wall modules, and bracing structure providing for strengthening the wall at the region of such joint.

Referring now to the drawings, a pool such as might be produced using the invention is shown in FIG. I at 10. This pool has elongated upright side walls 12 and I4, and end walls l6, 18, forming the sides and ends of the pool. The floor of the pool, designated at 20, is prepared as by putting a blanket of sand over a properly prepared draining surface, as exemplified by sloping portions a, 20b, and 20c. These give proper contour to the floor, whereby drainage is toward a central region 22. In the completed pool, a vinyl or other plwtic covering is provided which extends over the interior of the wall and also over the floor in the pool.

As already indicated, the pool may be installed in a variety of different above, below, and in grade installations. Assuming that the pool is to be set in the ground, a suitable cavity is dug into the earth, with the material that is removed pushed aside to provide back fill to be pushed against the wall bounding the perimeter of the pool at a later time and after its installation. The side and end walls may then be assembled and suitably braced, as will be hereinafter described. The material removed during the excavation upon being back filled against the outer sides of the walls buries the bracing structure.

With a pool installed which is slightly above grade, the excavation required initially is not so extensive. With the latter type of installation, different types of decks may be provided around the pool for the benefit of its users. By mentioning two different types of installations, of course, it is not intended to preclude other types.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the wall which bounds the perimeter of the pool is made up of wall modules disposed end-to-end. The wall modules comprise two different types, which are similar in many ways but differ in details of interlocking structure provided at the end of a module. In FIG. 3, the module given the reference numeral 28 exemplifies one type of module, and the module given reference numeral 30 exemplifies the other type. The module shown at 28 may be used for all regions of the pool wall save at a comer, where one of the modules 28 is used in combination with a module 30.

Considering the construction of module 28, such includes an elongated, rectangular panel, shown at 32, which, for urposes of illustration, will be assumed to be the size of a regular plywood panel, or 4 X 8 feet. The front face of the panel, i.e., the face 324 which faces away from the viewer in FIG. 3, is the face which faces the interior of the finished pool. Top and bottom horizontal margins of the panel are shown at 32b and 32c, and end margins at 32d and 32:.

Suitably secured, as by nailing, to the backside of panel 32, is stiffener structure including horizontal beams or timbers 36, 38, which are adjacent top and bottom margins of the panel. The structure further includes elongated stiffeners 40, which may also be secured to the panel and which extend between the beams 36, 38. It will be noted that multiple stiffeners are provided at modular distances along the panel. It will further be noted that at the left margin of the wall module in FIG. 3, two stiffeners are provided, which are disposed side-by-side. One of the stiffeners has been given reference numeral 400, and this one is at the back of and stiffens end margin 32a of the panel. The other stiffener, given the numeral 40b, is disposed beyond the end margin or edge of the panel, and is secured in place in the wall module by nailing it to stiffener 40a. Because of its location, stiffener 40b is referred to as an external stiffener.

It will further be noted that at the right end of the wall module, in the region of margin 32d, the module is devoid of any stiffener. Thus, a space is left between the horizontal beams for the reception of an externally held stiffener of another module, as will be further described.

In preparing a side wall of a pool, it will be apparent that multiple modules of the type shown at 28 may be fitted end-toend to produce a joint of the type shown in FIG. 4. In this figure, the two stiffeners 40a, 401) are part ofa wall module extending to the right of the figure. The wall module to the left of the figure includes longitudinals 36, 38 having ends which overlie the ends of stiffener 40b.

Considering now module 30, such (as does module 28) in cludes a rectangular panel, shown at 42. The panel has the same dimensions as panel 32 for the other type of module. Also, stiffener structure is provided in the module which braces the panel, including horizontal beams 44, 46, and stiffeners 48 extending between the horizontal beams.

In wall module 30, the horizontal beams have projecting ends, shown at 440, 46a, which project beyond the end margin of the panel in the module. A stiffener 480 stiffens the end margin of panel 42. Stiffener 48b, in this module comprises the externally held module and this is disposed laterally of the projecting ends 44a, 46a. This externally held stiffener is the one which fits between horizontal beams of the module which is interlocked with the module containing the stiffener. The stiffener 48b is secured to the module by nailing it to stiffener 480 which generally parallels stiffener 484 and extends between the projecting ends of the horizontal beam.

It should be noted that the projection of the ends 44a, 46a is such that horizontals 36, 38 of the module 28 may fit over the ends of stifl'ener 48b without meeting obstruction. Furthermore, a space 50 is provided which snugly receives the end margin of panel 32. The length of the projection of the ends, therefore, is about equivalent to the width of module 28, measured from the front face of the panel in the module to the backside of the horizontal beams in the module.

In preparing a corner of the pool, a module 28 is joined to a module 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The module 30, at the right end thereof in FIG. 3, is adapted to be fitted with another module 28.

Referring now also to FIG. 1, in a pool as shown in FIG. 1, where four modules make up a side of the pool and two an end of the pool, the bottom right hand corner of the pool shown in FIG. 1 may be prepared as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The comer shown at the top right hand part of the pool in FIG. 1 is prepared by using, as the initial module forming the side of the pool shown at the top in FIG. I a module of the type shown at 30, which includes a stiffener (such as that shown at 580) which interfits with the end module of the pool. The remaining modules of the side of the pool shown at the top in FIG. 1 may be of the type shown at 28. The module forming the left end of the pool in FIG. 1, at the top of the figure, would be a type 30 module, positioned with its stiffener 48b in the corner position. The lower module at the left end of the pool may be a type 28 module, and the initial module forming the bottom left hand part of the pool would again be a type 30 module. Thus, the pool construction shown in FIG. 1 requires four modules of the type shown at 30, and eight modules of the type shown at 28.

In completing the pool, the interfitting structure described holds adjacent modules from relative up and down shifting. To unite further the various modules, beams or lumber pieces 55 are nailed into position overlying the horizontal beams extending along the top of the various modules. Such are selected so as to extend continuously over any region, such as that shown at 56 or 58, where adjacent horizontal beams in the modules meet.

Considering now the structure provided for bracing the walls of the pool, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, a gusset 60 is provided which may be screwed to adjacent end portions of the lower horizontal beams in adjacent modules. The gusset includes a notch 62 receiving the two stif feners 40a, 40b. The gusset may be nailed in place as with the screws 64 shown.

Projecting to the rear of the modules, and disposed substantially horizontally, is a foot extension 66. Such is secured to the gusset, and through the gusset to the modules joined by the gusset.

Shown at 68 and 70 are a pair of diagonals which are joined, as by nut and bolt or fastener, 72, to the stiffener 40a, 40b. The lower ends of these diagonals extend downwardly to meet with the remote or free end of foot extension 66. The connection which is made is one which serves firmly to anchor the diagonals and the foot extension whereby the wall modules braced by the structure are maintained vertical, and withstand forces tending to tip the top margins inwardly (as may occur with the pool empty) or forces urging tipping of the modules in the opposite direction (as might occur with the pool full and on subsidence in the back fill which is provided around the exterior of the pool).

Considering more specifically the connection, a pin is shown at 74 which is disposed vertically in the outer end of foot extension 66. A pin 76 extends through accommodating bores made in the lower ends of diagonals 68, 70 and fits on the underside of the foot extension against the side of pin 74. The entire assembly, consisting of the various pins and the ends of the diagonals and foot extension, is encased in a concrete mass 80 which may be poured during construction of the pool.

It should be apparent that on hardening, the concrete mass rigidly maintains the various parts in the position shown in FIG. 4. The pins prevent the diagonals from pulling out of the concrete mass, and also prevent displacement of the foot extension with respect to the concrete mass.

The bracing structure described is provided where two adjacent aligned modules are connected in a joint, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. At the corners of the pool, the interfitting structure of the modules ordinarily makes external bracing unnecessary.

With a pool constructed using the concepts of the invention, it should be apparent that a number of economies may be realized over pool constructions of a conventional type. The wall modules may be prepared from wood, and with a suitable preservative applied to these components, it has been found that such may withstand many years of being buried in the ground. The modular construction contemplated has the advantage of enabling the pool to be installed at locations where, because of difl'iculties of handling the terrain, other types of pool installation would be impractical. The wall modules may be transported one at a time, for instance, to the location of the proposed pool, and excavation work performed at such a location without the necessity of using heavy construction equipment required in conventional constructions.

That the modular construction is adaptable to the manufacture of pools of varying sizes should be readily apparent. By using a greater number of modules, or by using modules of different proportions than those specifically described, it is an easy matter to construct pools of either a greater or less overall size than the one specifically illustrated.

While various modifications of the invention have been described, it should be obvious that variations are possible to one skilled in the art without departing from the instant in ventron.

It is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent:

l. A modular building assembly for the construction of a pool comprising multiple wall modules adapted to be assembled end-to-end with a joint provided between adjacent ends of adjacent wall modules whereby the wall modules form a continm ous wall bounding the perimeter of the pool,

each wall module when in operative position including a vertical panel with a front side adapted to face the interior of the pool and top and bottom horizontal beams extending adjacent top and bottom margins of such panel strengthening the panel,

the end of one wall module where it is adapted to form a joint with another adjacent wall module including an upright end margin of the panel in the module, a stiffener extending along the back of and stiffening said end margin, and another stiffener disposed beyond said end margin of the panel,

the end of said other wall module where it is adapted to form a joint with said one wall module including in its panel an upright end margin for juxtapositioning to the said end margin of the panel in said one wall module, and a space between its horizontal beams adapted to receive said other stiffener in said one wall module.

2. The modular assembly of claim I, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of each wall module are spaced apart a distance which is common for all wall modules, and said other stifi'ener is coextensive in length and lies alongside said first-mentioned stifi'ener and is secured within said one module by fasteners extending between said other and said first-mentioned stiffeners.

3. The modular assembly of claim I, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of each wall module are spaced apart a distance which is common for all wall modules,

the top and bottom horizontal beams of the said one wall module have projecting ends that project equal distances beyond the said end margin of said one wall module,

a third stiffener extends between said beams at their pro jecting ends, and

said other stiflener is located laterally of said beams and is secured to said third stiffener.

4. A building module adapted to be assembled with other modules in the construction of a pool wall or like surface comprising a rectangular panel having top, bottom, and opposite end margins,

top and bottom horizontal beams secured to the backside of the panel adjacent top and bottom margins thereof,

a stiffener for the panel directly behind one end margin of said panel extending between and disposed normal to said beams, and

another externally held stiffener paralleling the stiffener which is directly behind said one end margin but held outwardly beyond the said one end margin of said panel,

the other end margin of the panel being devoid of any stiffener in the region directly behind it.

5. The building module of claim 4, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of the module have projecting ends that project equal distances beyond said one end margin of said panel, and which further comprises a third stifiener extending between said beams at their projecting ends, said externally held stiffener being located laterally of said beams and being secured to said third stiffener.

6. A pool comprising multiple wall modules disposed vertically and end-to-end to form a continuous wall bounding the perimeter of the pool,

each module comprising a rectangular panel having top, bottom, and end margins and stiffener structures secured to the backside of the panel,

adjacent module ends forming a joint in the pool wall, and

lateral bracing structure at the location of a joint holding modules meeting at the joint from deflecting to either side of a vertical position,

said bracing structure comprising a foot extension secured to the stiffening structure and extending substantially horizontally outwardly from the wall modules,

a diagonal secured at one end to the stiffener structure, ad-

jacent the top of the modules, and inclining downwardly to meet with the outer end of the foot extension, and

means securing the diagonal to the foot section comprising an upright bar secured to the foot extension, and a substantially horizontal bar secured to the diagonal, the latter being disposed under the underside of the extension against said upright bar of the extension.

7. The pool of claim 6, wherein a mass of concrete encases the diagonal where it meets with the foot section.

8. The pool of claim 6, wherein two diagonals are provided which substantially parallel each other and which straddle the foot extension, the bar which is secured to the diagonals being secured to both and an intermediate portion of this bar between the diagonals resting against the bar of the extension.

9. The pool of claim 8, wherein a mass of concrete encases the lower ends of the two diagonals and the bar which is secured to the diagonals where such extends between the two diagonals.

10. The pool of claim 9, wherein the stiffener structure in a module comprises top and bottom horizontal beams extending adjacent top and bottom margins of the panel in the module and secured to the backside of the panel, and upright stiffeners extending between and disposed normal to said beams secured to the backside of the panel,

and the modules which form to meet a joint include one module adjacent the end which forms the joint has two stiffener-s, one being behind an end margin in the modules panel and one being disposed outwardly beyond such end margin in the panel, and another module which has an end at said joint devoid of any stiflener,

said diagonals straddling the two stiffeners in said one module.

l t t l k 

1. A modular building assembly for the construction of a pool comprising multiple wall modules adapted to be assembled end-to-end with a joint provided between adjacent ends of adjacent wall modules whereby the wall modules form a continuous wall bounding the perimeter of the pool, each Wall module when in operative position including a vertical panel with a front side adapted to face the interior of the pool and top and bottom horizontal beams extending adjacent top and bottom margins of such panel strengthening the panel, the end of one wall module where it is adapted to form a joint with another adjacent wall module including an upright end margin of the panel in the module, a stiffener extending along the back of and stiffening said end margin, and another stiffener disposed beyond said end margin of the panel, the end of said other wall module where it is adapted to form a joint with said one wall module including in its panel an upright end margin for juxtapositioning to the said end margin of the panel in said one wall module, and a space between its horizontal beams adapted to receive said other stiffener in said one wall module.
 2. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of each wall module are spaced apart a distance which is common for all wall modules, and said other stiffener is coextensive in length and lies alongside said first-mentioned stiffener and is secured within said one module by fasteners extending between said other and said first-mentioned stiffeners.
 3. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of each wall module are spaced apart a distance which is common for all wall modules, the top and bottom horizontal beams of the said one wall module have projecting ends that project equal distances beyond the said end margin of said one wall module, a third stiffener extends between said beams at their projecting ends, and said other stiffener is located laterally of said beams and is secured to said third stiffener.
 4. A building module adapted to be assembled with other modules in the construction of a pool wall or like surface comprising a rectangular panel having top, bottom, and opposite end margins, top and bottom horizontal beams secured to the backside of the panel adjacent top and bottom margins thereof, a stiffener for the panel directly behind one end margin of said panel extending between and disposed normal to said beams, and another externally held stiffener paralleling the stiffener which is directly behind said one end margin but held outwardly beyond the said one end margin of said panel, the other end margin of the panel being devoid of any stiffener in the region directly behind it.
 5. The building module of claim 4, wherein the top and bottom horizontal beams of the module have projecting ends that project equal distances beyond said one end margin of said panel, and which further comprises a third stiffener extending between said beams at their projecting ends, said externally held stiffener being located laterally of said beams and being secured to said third stiffener.
 6. A pool comprising multiple wall modules disposed vertically and end-to-end to form a continuous wall bounding the perimeter of the pool, each module comprising a rectangular panel having top, bottom, and end margins and stiffener structures secured to the backside of the panel, adjacent module ends forming a joint in the pool wall, and lateral bracing structure at the location of a joint holding modules meeting at the joint from deflecting to either side of a vertical position, said bracing structure comprising a foot extension secured to the stiffening structure and extending substantially horizontally outwardly from the wall modules, a diagonal secured at one end to the stiffener structure, adjacent the top of the modules, and inclining downwardly to meet with the outer end of the foot extension, and means securing the diagonal to the foot section comprising an upright bar secured to the foot extension, and a substantially horizontal bar secured to the diagonal, the latter being disposed under the underside of the extension against said upright bar of the extension.
 7. The pool oF claim 6, wherein a mass of concrete encases the diagonal where it meets with the foot section.
 8. The pool of claim 6, wherein two diagonals are provided which substantially parallel each other and which straddle the foot extension, the bar which is secured to the diagonals being secured to both and an intermediate portion of this bar between the diagonals resting against the bar of the extension.
 9. The pool of claim 8, wherein a mass of concrete encases the lower ends of the two diagonals and the bar which is secured to the diagonals where such extends between the two diagonals.
 10. The pool of claim 9, wherein the stiffener structure in a module comprises top and bottom horizontal beams extending adjacent top and bottom margins of the panel in the module and secured to the backside of the panel, and upright stiffeners extending between and disposed normal to said beams secured to the backside of the panel, and the modules which form to meet a joint include one module adjacent the end which forms the joint has two stiffeners, one being behind an end margin in the module''s panel and one being disposed outwardly beyond such end margin in the panel, and another module which has an end at said joint devoid of any stiffener, said diagonals straddling the two stiffeners in said one module. 